CPL 2016: Jamaica Tallawahs sign in Dale Steyn in place of Lasith Malinga

The Jamaica Tallawahs have moved quickly to replace the injured Lasith Malinga in their Caribbean Premier League (CPL 2016) squad by adding South Africa’s Dale Steyn to their ranks for the coming season.

A former number-one ranked Test bowler, Proteas favourite Steyn is one of the leading stars of the world game and will feature in his inaugural CPL campaign for the Tallawahs. In 42 T20 Internationals to date, the 32-year-old has claimed 58 wickets, with an economy rate of 6.71, which is a fraction above (6.68 runs per over) overall career figures in 20-over cricket where he has taken 178 wickets in 165 games to date.

A consistent performer across all three formats, Steyn is also currently ranked fourth in the Test bowling rankings, having previously held the top position from March 2009 to December 2015, and is ranked sixth in One-Day Internationals.

Sri Lanka star Malinga, 32, who also featured in the Guyana Amazon Warriors attack in 2013, is awaiting further tests on a knee injury sustained during the West Indies series back in November 2015. Despite featuring briefly in the Asia Cup, he has been unavailable since then and missed out on the ICC World T20 2016.

Commenting on the news, Dale Steyn said: “It is a great privilege to feature in the CPL for the first time and I am proud and delighted to sign up for the Jamaica Tallawahs for the forthcoming CPL season. The CPL is one of the strongest Twenty20 leagues in the world game and it’s a tournament that’s on the rise. There are some outstanding world-class players signed up across all six teams and I’m looking forward to playing against some of my great friends and team-mates, amongst them Hashim Amla, AB (de Villiers), Faf (du Plessis), David Miller and Morne (Morkel) this summer. It will certainly add a nice bit of spice to the mix!

“I have seen CPL grow over the last few years and it is always a great experience playing in the Caribbean. The crowds and the atmosphere are always special and the fans really get behind their team. Now that there will also be six games in Central Broward Stadium in Florida, I can’t wait to join up with the team in June and stepping out in Tallawahs colours in a full Sabina Park.”

Mohammad Khan, General Manager – Jamaica Tallawahs, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Dale to the Tallawahs family. Dale is the best fast bowler in the world and a modern great. We believe he’s going to be an excellent addition to an already solid team.”

Guptill is set to lead his team – Martin Guptill named captain of Guyana Amazon Warriors for CPL 2016